Abstract:
This study was undertaken to investigate the implementation challenges of welfare provisions for
prisoners in Nsawam Medium Security Prisons. It gathered views on the extent to which welfare
standards for prisoners have been implemented and achieved in relation to health, feeding and
accommodation for inmates of Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, and the challenges that faced
Ghana Prisons Service in implementing welfare standards for inmates. In all 40 prisoners, 20
prison officers, and 9 key prison administrators from Nsawam Medium Security Prisons were
sampled randomly and purposively. Data from 40 prisoners and 20 prison officers were collected
by means of questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively whereas data from key prison
administrators were collected by means of structured oral interviews and analyzed qualitatively
based on the research objectives. The study established that inadequate supply of essential drugs
and inadequate qualified health personnel, inadequate ration grants for prisoners, and
overcrowding of cells coupled with inadequate ventilation, inadequate toilet facilities and
unhygienic conditions are the major drawbacks to welfare delivery to prisoners of Nsawam
Medium Security Prison. Besides, findings indicated that the Ghana Prison Service (GPS) is
making effort to improve welfare delivery to prisoners and has been receiving various forms of
support from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs). The study recommends increase in government budgetary allocation for feeding,
revival of prison farm concept, resourcing of infirmary with adequate drugs and health
personnel, registration of inmates with NHIS, renovation of the existing prison accommodation
facilities and building of new ones, and tapping the full support of CSOs and NGOs as measures
to ensure effective implementation of welfare standards in Nsawam Medium Security Prisons
with regard to feeding, health and accommodation of prisoners.
